German Girl Names
- Franziska
- Gisela
- Keil
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"wedge"Description:
Probably intended as a variant spelling of Kyle, this German word (meaning "wedge") is not used as a name there.
- Bernadine
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"brave as a bear"Description:
As dated as the old Pat Boone song.
- Rebekka
Origin:
Variation of Rebecca, HebrewMeaning:
"servant of God"Description:
Rebekka is a more creative spelling -- at least in some people's opinion -- of the biblical favorite Rebecca. Rebekka is also the usual German version. The Rebekkah spelling was commonly used in Early America.
- Sascha
Origin:
German variation of SashaMeaning:
"defending warrior"Description:
Largely male throughout Europe, this name--spelled with or without the c, is an energetic choice that has really taken off for girls here; it's been used for the daughters of Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, and Vanessa Williams. The Barack Obamas use Sasha as the nickname for their younger daughter, whose proper name is Natasha. Sasha Alexander, on the TV show Rizzoli & Isles, was born Suzana.
- Christiane
Origin:
German and French feminine form of ChristianDescription:
There are not one but two notable modern women with this name: journalist Christiane Amanpour and physician/author Christiane Northrup. In Germany, the pronunciation is kris-tee-AH-na while in France, it's kris-tee-AHN — and in the U.S., there's sure to be confusion. While Christiane is not stylish, it's a strong, attractive, unusual-though-familiar name.
- Druella
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"elfin vision"Description:
A little too close to Cruella.
- Gisella
- Amalya
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"work"Description:
Spelling variation of Amalia, rising in popularity throughout Europe.
- Barrett
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bear strength"Description:
Masculine sounding surname that kids might confuse with barrette.
- Eleonara
Origin:
Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish version of EleanorMeaning:
"bright, shining one"Description:
The usual form of Eleonara is Eleanora, with each syllable pronounced, but transposing, adding, or subtracting a vowel or syllable here or there works fine and adds to the international, feminine spin on a solid name.
- Valda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"battle heroine"Description:
Seventies comic-book-heroine-style name.
- Josefine
Origin:
Scandinavian and German variation of Josephine, FrenchMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"
- Ziska
- Caecilia
Origin:
Feminine form of Caecilius, LatinMeaning:
"blind"Description:
The ancient Roman name that gave us Cecilia, Cecily, and related names. This spelling looks authentic, but might raise more pronunciation problems than it solves.
- Liese
- Mariane
Origin:
French combination of Marie and AnneMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace"Description:
Variant of Marianne
- Anke
- Amory
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"industrious"Description:
Amory is best known for the hero of Fitzgerald's 1920 This Side of Paradise, Princeton student Amory Blaine. Amory is in some danger of being borrowed by the girls, a la Avery. Alternate spellings Amori or Amorie also relate to the Latin word for love.